Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Francesco Stolfi
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPPP or GradDipPP or GradCertPP or MSc in Environmental Health or MPPPMDevStud or MPPPMPASR or MPPPMIntRel or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCTerrorism or MPlan
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit addresses the question of how to study policy-making, with reference to several policy areas. Students will think about policies and policy-making through a variety of lenses including those that focus on interests, institutions and ideas. The approach is comparative, and for this reason part of the module with be devoted to methodological and research design issues relevant to doing and reading comparative research. Students will then apply these methodological tools to a research paper.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Assignment Submission All written assignments must be submitted using the “Turnitin Assignments” facility on the iLearn website. This facility includes software which scans the uploaded assignments for plagiarism. Follow the instructions on the screen carefully. Your assignment should be uploaded before midnight on the due date. In all cases, you should ensure that you keep a copy of the assignment.
Return of marked work Marked assignments will be returned via the same facility on iLearn. When marks are released, you will need to go back in to the assignment submission box, and open your uploaded assignment. When you click on the “GradeMark” button, you will be able to see the marker’s comments on your work. You can save or print the essay with the comments.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Quizzes on the readings | 20% | No | Weekly |
Research design | 30% | No | Week 11 |
Final research paper | 40% | No | Week 13 |
Attendance and Participation | 10% | No | Weekly |
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
A weekly quiz will be held on the readings. More information about the quizzes will be provided at the lecture in Week 1.
This is a timed assessment and no late submissions will be accepted.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcome:
Show competent knowledge of methodological and theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 30%
Essay detailing the research design for the final paper (1000 words). The essay must be fully references according to professional standards.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcome:
Apply comparative methodology to an original piece of research on policy making
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Original research paper. The paper must be comparative, i.e. it must be based on the comparison of at least two elements (e.g. countries, regions, state, times/periods, policies etc.). Length: 4000
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Apply comparative methodology to an original piece of research on policy making
Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research relating to a specific policy problem
Locate, assess, and analyse different kinds of policy-relevant evidence, from a range of sources, and synthesise research findings into a simple, logical and coherent argument
Identify, critically analyse and discuss the major debates and controversies involved around the role of institutions, interests and ideas in the policy process
Show competent knowledge of methodological and theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
Attendance and participation in weekly seminars will be assessed based on participation in class and small group discussions and activities.
As part of this assessment task, there will be two in-class presentations. External students: You will find a link to a tool called Voicethread which you must use to upload your presentations. You will also use Voicethread to upload your comments on other students’ presentations.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Show competent knowledge of methodological and theoretical literature as well as of the empirical cases covered in the readings.
Evaluate the quality, validity and reliability of research relating to a specific policy problem
Delivery: For lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations.
Internal students are expected to attend the following classes each week: Lecture: Tuesday 6-7pm Seminar: Tuesday 7-9pm
External students: The lecture is digitally recorded and can be downloaded from the ILearn website shortly after it is delivered. You will also find lecture slides on the website. External students are also required to attend two compulsory on-campus sessions of four hours each over the semester.
External students are encouraged to attend weekly lectures and seminar classes whenever they can.
Resources: This unit has a unit webpage which is accessible only to currently enrolled students. Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
There is no text book for this unit. All required readings will be accessible electronically via the Macquarie University Library iShare system. Links will be posted on the iLearn site.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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